Mini bonus because inspiration hit. Welcome to the new followers and thank you to the ones who stuck with me for a while now. <3

*

That night, the air was fresh and salty, and the crew decided to have dinner on the deck.

Around your second bite, though, your head felt too heavy, like your eyelids, and you literally wobbled till you fell against Kid's muscular arm.

You barely heard the pirates around bursting in laughter.

After the crazy day in town, Kid had you in his cabin and then, when you insisted in washing up the lipstick smears that marked your bodies before joining the crew for dinner, he just took you again under the shower. Not to mention the night before you didn't have much sleep either.

So now your eyes were basically closing on their own, and your mind refused to stay awake.

«Captain, I think you broke our little sniper girl!» Booka laughed.

Kid glanced down at you, mouth full of meat.

«What is it, the pirate life is too much for you, marine?» someone else mocked.

You clumsily show them your middle finger, almost out of somnambulism, and they just laughed more.

«Maybe you should go to bed, [Y/n].» Killer observed.

«Yes mom.» you mumbled, eyes closed.

Kid snickered as Killer sighed.

«Fine. Sleep on the deck, then.»

Dreams had almost dragged you into sleep when a pair of hands suddenly grabbed your arm, pulling you away from Kid's warmth. The second after, a cascade of icy water was poured on you, making you jolt on your seat, a shockwave running through your body.

You stumbled on the bench and tumbled on the wooden floor.

A new chorus of coarse laughter enveloped you.

«How did you like it, girl?»

Your now wide-open eyes flicked on the two culprits, who sneaked behind you, the empty bucket still in their hands.

You were trembling lightly, goosebumps forming on your wet skin, mind frozen.

«I'm. Gonna. KILL YOU, BASTARDS!»

You jumped on your feet and snatched a knife from the table, before dashing to the chase of the two pirates, who fled around the deck.

The rest of the crew began to cheer, half rooting for you, half for the men.

«Well, she looks... comfortable.» Killer commented.

«She sure doesn't rely on the boss for protection.» Heat added.

Kid shrugged, continuing to eat while following the scene with amused eyes.

The dinner outside quickly turned in a night of booze.

That little prank had at least the effect of washing a little sleep off, but you were still too tired to live up to your usual alcoholic tolerance.

Also, some men switched the bottles, so you ended up with "the good one" without knowing.

Still, nobody expected you to hold up pretty decently anyway.

The group that tricked you (Booka was obviously the mind behind it) didn't know if they were disappointed or amazed by that resistance to the booze.

Nevertheless, an hour later you were leaning against the railing, head swinging above the sea while a pleasant dizziness took over your mind.

When the crew lost interest in watching you drink, you had taken the chance to sneak away from the crowd, watching them party from a certain distance.

The sound of the waves brushing the side of the ship was lulling you in the cool breeze.

Kid was right in the middle of them, drinking and laughing hard among his men.

«Mind if I join you?»

You rolled your eyes till they focused on the masked man looming over you.

«Be my guest, Massacre Soldier.»

«Killer.» he corrected, taking a seat beside you and leaning against the railing.

He lightly pounded his bottle against yours before taking a sip through a straw.

«So... you don't look like a scared little kitty anymore.»

You glared at him, puckering your lips in a pout.

«Cut the kitten thing, blondie.»

He chuckled.

«I'm sorry, commander.»

You frowned.

«Don't call me that.»

«But you told me yourself. I shouldn't forget that you're a marine officer, should I?»

«I don't like how you say it. Like it's ridiculous.»

«Sorry. That was not my intention.»

You mumbled, mood suddenly becoming less cheerful.

«Killer.»

He turned his head, but you kept your eyes right in front of you.

«May I ask you something?» you asked.

«You'll do it anyway.»

«You read the newspaper, right?»

The pirate relaxed his long legs forward.

«Yeah.»

You clicked your tongue.

You were pretty sure it was due to his thoughtfulness that you had never found a newspaper around, during the past twenty-two days.

You inhaled the nocturnal air deeply.

«Did they... did they mention me at all?»

Killer tilted his head observing you.

«Not necessarily my name... maybe they mentioned that the Kid Pirates have taken a marine officer prisoner, or that some men are missing after the clash... anything.» you murmured.

There were several seconds of silence before his reply, and that was already an answer itself.

«I'm sorry, [Y/n].»

You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath.

Inside, you knew that already. Then why did it feel like someone dropped a great weight on your chest?

«I see.»

«The battle was barely reported, anyway. They probably didn't want too much publicity over it.»

«Yeah...» you breathed.

At least, you could use it as an excuse for Aokiji.

How could he come to your rescue, if he thought you were safe and sound in the headquarter?

You didn't fully believe it, but it was better than nothing.

Killer gave you a few more moments, then he spoke again.

«May I ask you a question too?»

«Go ahead.»

«Where do you come from?»

You quirked an eyebrow at him.

«What? Why do you care?»

He shrugged.

«I'm just curious. I mean, it's no secret that Kid and I came all the way from the South Blue... but I have no idea where you were born.»

You hummed, hugging your legs against your chest and leaning your chin on your knees.

«I guess almost no one does. I never talk about my past.»

«You don't have to.»

«It's fine, there are no dark secrets to hide or anything. It's just not particularly interesting.»

«Well, I'm curious to know what sea you're from. I can't deduce it from your way to talk or act.»

You chuckled.

«I believe it. I was born in the New World.»

He moved the straw from his mask.

«What?»

«Yeah... although they used to call my mother "the bitch from the West Blue", so maybe that's my origin.»

«Your mother?»

«I don't really remember her. She must have died when I was really young, like three or something. But even after her death they used to label me as a foreigner, that's why I know it.»

«So you grew up on your own.»

Your mouth twitched.

«There was an orphanage, but it sucked. Nothing more to add. I'm sure a lot of men here share a similar story.» you said, hinting at the partying crew «Leo, Booka... even Kid, probably.» you eyes flicked on Killer «You, not so much.»

«Why do you think that?»

«It's just a feeling. Maybe I'm wrong. Kid never said anything, if that's what you're thinking.»

«I know.»

Right. Sometime I forget that the bound between these two goes way back, and I'm just a marine prisoner.

«So you're from a WG-affiliated island in the New World.» he stated.

«Who said it was WG-affiliated?»

You felt his eyes on you.

«A Yonko's territory?»

You gave him an enigmatic smile.

«Maybe.»

«Who?»

«You're very curious, Mass... Killer.» you leaned your cheek on your arm «Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't even remember. Probably Akagami, or Whitebeard. Never saw anyone from their crew, anyway.»

«That's a pity.»

Your eyes wandered off the deck, locking on the wild red hair swinging in the night.

Kid had his vicious grin plastered on his pale face, and was laughing about something with Wire and the Mohican.

«[Y/n].» Killer said softly.

«Hm.»

«We're going after the Emperors.»

Your forehead wrinkled, blurred eyes still glued to Kid.

«I know.»

The wind grew a little colder, and you rubbed your arms. You brought the bottle to your lips, swallowing long sips of burning booze.

«Hey, easy on that.»

«Why? I can take more booze than any of your men.»

«And yet, you look pretty drunk.»

«Bullshit!» you scoffed, before hiccupping.

He peered at your flushed cheeks and humid eyes.

«Can I see that bottle for a second?»

«No. Whiiiiiiiiiii!» you shrilled, swinging your head overboard in the salty night.

«Okay!» Killer gasped, grabbing your shirt when you were dangerously sliding toward the sea «I think you had enough.»

He took the bottle from your hands and your head snapped in his direction with an angry pout.

«Give that back!»

«You should go to bed.»

«I said give that bed!» you growled, throwing yourself against him, only to lose your balance immediately and stumble over his chest.

He grunted, quickly restraining your arms that were still going for the bottle.

«You sure are an annoying woman!»

«What's going on here?»

You both raised your heads on the captain, who was looking down at you with a slightly displeased face.

«Kiiiiid!» you whined, rolling in Killer's grip to better see him «Your blondie took my booze!»

Kid frowned.

«Are you drunk?»

«No.» you hiccupped.

Killer unclenched you from his shirt and grabbed your collar, lifting you like a goddamn cat.

«You should take her to bed.»

«Like hell!» you yelled, turning to cling around his arm with both your arms and your legs.

«I swear, [Y/n], I'm gonna cook you for breakfast.»

«Enough!» Kid snapped, tearing you off Killer and throwing you over his shoulder.

His brusque action caused your head to spin frenetically.

«Woooooh. Eustass. You don't wanna do that again.»

«I do the fuck I want.»

«Fine, fine, let me just...»

You were fidgeting so much that Kid grew annoyed and dropped his arms along his sides.

With many half-breathed curses and grunts, you clumsily clung to his vest and tried to climb down his body, risking slipping multiple times.

A vein was dangerously throbbing on his forehead when you finally found yourself hanging from his neck.

The floor still seemed miles away.

You looked up at his face, finding him deadpanning back at you.

«Hem... a little help?»

You heard Killer's chocked chuckle as he hid his mask in his hand.

Kid glared at him.

«Don't.»

«I'm not doing anything.»

The captain growled something, then he scooped your hanging body up with his flesh arm.

Your arms stayed around his neck though, and your head leaned against his chest, eyes closed.

«That's better.» you muttered.

«Shut up.»

You unconsciously nuzzled in his warmth before falling asleep.

Kid scoffed, but his eyes lingered on your face and your fingers clenched on his vest.

«Goodnight, then.» Killer said, a mild mock audible in his voice.

«Killer.»

«Yes?»

«Screw you.»